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House Democrats Introduce Jobs Plan
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles and Ted Strickland of Lisbon yesterday joined House Democrats in announcing a broad plan to get America back to work, and to encourage U.S. companies to keep jobs in America. Unlike the competing Republican proposal -- H.R. 4520, known as the Thomas Bill -- the House Democrats said their American Jobs Plan would end tax loopholes that reward companies for moving jobs overseas, encourage small firms to expand and hire new workers, and help more children attend college to study science and math, the Democrats said.In a news release, Ryan, D-17th, described the bill as a comprehensive plan that would reverse the trend of outsourcing quality, good paying U.S. jobs and invest in the education, highways, and broadband Internet access that will bring more jobs to the district."It's time we invest in jobs for Americans instead of subsidizing factories and workers in Bangladesh," he said. "By repealing tax loopholes that undermine American jobs, the Democratic Plan is able to provide real help for American manufactures, small businesses, college students, and job seekers -- all without costing the taxpayers a dime."The American Jobs Plan proposes repealing $125 billion in current tax breaks that help ship jobs overseas, replacing them instead with two new tax incentives targeted to companies, both large and small, that create new jobs in the United States. Under the new jobs plan, savings from ending tax loopholes would be invested in job training, education, and research and development. The plan, which is fully paid for, also gives U.S. companies priority for obtaining government contracts if they keep jobs in America."Week after week and month after month, more companies are taking American jobs overseas," said Strickland, D-6th. "Most recently, in my district, Middleton Dolls in Belpre, Ohio, announced it will begin moving its manufacturing jobs to China. Companies like Middleton Dolls do this for many reasons: chasing low-wage workers, non-existent labor and environmental standards, and a wink-and-a-nod from a White House that believes that outsourcing is good for the U.S. economy." Several of the key proposals in the American Jobs Plan agenda include:A new jobs tax credit to give American manufacturers, small businesses, and other industries impacted by outsourcing $3,000 for every job they create in the next two years.A new small business tax credit to help make health care more affordable for smaller firms so they can expand.A highway bill to create hundreds of thousands of jobs by modernizing and rebuilding highways, airports, railroad lines, ports, and water treatment facilities.Giving priority for government contracts to companies investing in American jobs. Expanding investment in broadband infrastructure to make using the Internet more cost effective for families and small businesses in rural areas, and connect industrial parks and small business incubators with high-speed links.Making college more accessible by doubling Pell Grants for low and moderate income students to $11,600 by 2011. Increased funding for job training, and new programs to ensure that workers are trained for industries with an unmet demand for high-skilled talent. Extending unemployment benefits to the 2.9 million people who have exhausted their current benefits but still have not found work.Expanding trade adjustment assistance to high-tech workers and other service workers who lose their jobs due to offshoring, which would allow them greater access to job training, health benefits, and funding for job search and relocation expenses. "With 167,800 Ohio manufacturing jobs lost in the last three years, and 8 million Americans looking for work, it's time for a new commitment to keep jobs here in the U.S.," Strickland added."This bold proposal will do just that.""